Memorial Day

Remember and Honor Monday, May 31, 2021 “A special day of reflection and remembrance to honor the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We are forever grateful.”

To the People of Weehawken:

The Memorial Day Parade is back. As we all know everything in 2020 was canceled. However, it is May 2021 and everything is returning to normal. This is the time to remember our Veterans.

Today, nearly 150 years after Memorial Day was first observed, we honor those soldiers and sailors who never returned home. All of these heroes served our country and community as members of our armed forces and they shared the belief that they could make a difference – and they did. We should never forget their personal sacrifice or the family and friends they left behind.

As part of our ceremony this year, we will be honoring Joseph J. Fredericks, Jr., who passed away on November, 16, 2020, at the age of 97 . A symbol of all the men and women who had to leave their homes and give up their lives to protect this country, he was devoted to remembering those who fought in World War II, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Most of you remember Joe as the Master of Ceremonies for the Parade for so many years. Although his physical presence will not be at this year’s parade, his genuine love of his country and his hometown will forever be etched in our minds. Memorial Day was very special to him and he saw the parade as an important reminder to younger generations of the sacrifices that were made for the United States. This year’s Memorial Day Parade is dedicated to Joe.

Today we are reminded to say “Thank You” to our nation’s heroes. We extend our humble gratitude to all of our military, their families and to all the veterans that served our nation. God Bless America, Mayor Richard F. Turner

“Soldiers never die ~ until they are forgotten”

Parade Officials General Chairman Grand Marshal Joseph Rovito, Quartermaster Seaman Frank Richardson VFW Oulton-Kraft Post 1923 US Navy ~ Korean War Vice Chairman Grand Marshal Gabriela Reynoso, Commander-elect Sgt. Stephen D. McLaughlin American Legion Post 18 US Army – Vietnam War

Parade Liaison Aide to Grand Marshal Donna Macina Specialist E4 Stephen R. Weil Weehawken Township US Army – Vietnam War

Line of March

Assembly Place: Highpoint and Gregory Avenues Assembly Time: 9:00 am Forward March: 9:30 am Patriotic Exercises: 11:00 am at the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monuments, Boulevard East

Starting at assembly point of Highpoint and Gregory Avenues, west on Highpoint Avenue to Hudson Avenue, north on Hudson Avenue to Maple Street, east on Maple Street to Ridgely Place, continuing onto Pleasant Avenue and north on Pleasant Avenue to Park Avenue, proceeding up Park Avenue to 49th Street, east on 49th Street to Boulevard East (stopping for a few minutes), south on Boulevard East to Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument.

Memorial Day Parade Order

Weehawken Police Motorcycle Escort Union City US Marines Corps Jr. ROTC Weehawken High School Marching Band - Ryan Gorman, Director Hudson County Sheriff’s Department Grand Marshal: Seaman Frank Richardson, US Navy, Korean War Grand Marshal: Sgt. Stephen D. McLaughlin, US Army, Vietnam War Aide to Grand Marshal: Specialist E4 Stephen R. Weil, US Army, Vietnam War Oulton Kraft Post #1923 Veterans Of Foreign Wars – Paul Pizzuta, Commander Weehawken Post #18 American Legion – Gabriela Reynoso, Commander-elect Patriot Brass Ensemble – Unit One US Army National Guard B Co 2/113th Infantry – if not deployed Weehawken Police Department Marching Unit Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad Marching Unit -- Jeff Welz, President Staten Island Pipes & Drums Mayor Richard F. Turner and Township Council Weehawken Board Of Education - John Cannata, President Weehawken Elks Lodge #1456 – Lorraine Wuillamey, Exalted Ruler Junior Girl Scout Troop 12779 – Meg Carson, Leader Rhythm Kings Dixieland Band Float Weehawken Parking Authority Weehawken Senior Citizens Bus – Kathy Gohde, Director Weehawken Recreation Department BSA Troop #812 –, Maya Adasse, Grace Denfeld, Hayden Lester Cub Scout Troop #223 - Steven Fox, Leader Boy Scout Troop #223 – Oscar Hernandez, Leader Patriot Brass Ensemble – Unit Two Weehawken Water Tower Float Weehawken Fire Prevention Bureau Vehicle Escort Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad Ambulances No. Hudson Reg. Fire & Rescue Marching Unit & Vehicle Escort In case of rain, program and exercises will be held in the Weehawken High School Gym, Liberty Place, Weehawken, NJ, at 11:00 am.

Please display your American Flag on all holidays.

Program and Exercises

Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument

Boulevard East ~ 11am

Program Chairman ...... Joseph Rovito Oulton Kraft Post #1923, VFW Star Spangled Banner ...... Weehawken High School Marching Band Ryan Gorman, Director Invocation ...... Fr. Eric Fuchs St. Lawrence R.C. Church Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag ...... Christian Ferullo Roosevelt School Gettysburg Address ...... Kenming Wu Weehawken High School Greetings ...... Mayor Richard F. Turner Presentation of Wreaths ...... Rosemary Lavagnino, Deputy Mayor, Weehawken Township Lorraine Wuillamey, Exalted Ruler, Weehawken Lodge of Elks #1456 Gabriela Reynoso, Commander-elect, American Legion Post #18 Paul Pizzuta, Commander, Oulton Kraft Post #1923, VFW Veterans’ Rituals ...... VFW Post 1923 / American Legion Post #18

Memorial Day Essay Award ...... Kanyaka Tipurana Lorraine Wuillamey, Exalted Ruler, Weehawken Lodge of Elks #1456 Voice of Democracy Award ...... Joseph Rovito, Jr. Paul Pizzuta, Commander, Oulton Kraft Post #1923, VFW The flag of the United States of America was flown over the Capitol in honor of Joseph J. Fredericks, Jr...... presented to his daughter, Janice Fredericks Roll Call Deceased Members (2020 - 2021) ...... Lorraine Wuillamey, Exalted Ruler, Weehawken Lodge of Elks #1456 Gabriela Reynoso, Commander-elect, American Legion Post #18 Paul Pizzuta, Commander, Oulton Kraft Post #1923, VFW Taps ...... Sofian Rahhali Weehawken High School

Benediction ...... Pastor Corinne Arthur Park United Methodist Church God Bless America ...... Weehawken High School Marching Band

Parade Grand Marshals

Grand Marshal Seaman Frank Richardson - US. Navy - Korean War

While attending Weehawken High School, Frank, along with his friends, joined the Navy Reserves. After graduation, Frank entered the Korean War as a member of the US Navy in 1952. After completion of Boot Camp in Maryland, he was stationed on the USS Joyce. The USS Joyce was recalled to active duty as a radar picket escort and participated in air defense exercises and barrier patrols in the Caribbean. Frank worked in the ship’s Radio Shack transmitting and receiving radio signals, and processing all forms of telecommunications. Frank boarded ships throughout the Caribbean on security to combat smuggling and piracy. Frank was tasked as the “heavy machine gunner” in the Shore Patrol on these boarding searches. The Shore Patrol is the Navy’s equivalent to the Military Police. Frank received the National Defense Service Medal for his service in the Korean War and also received the Hudson County Distinguished Medal Award. Frank, age 87, has lived in Weehawken for over 60 years.

Grand Marshal

Sgt. Stephen D. McLaughlin - US Army – Vietnam War

Sgt. Stephen D. McLaughlin, enlisted into the United States Army serving for 3 years. On November 2, 1966 he began his basic training at Fort Dix, NJ, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and Ft. Hood, TX, where he received his orders to go to Vietnam. He served in the Army 1st Infantry Division known as the "BIG RED 1", which was the first division called to action in Vietnam. Stephen was in Vietnam during the "Tet Offensive", which was a surprise offensive launch by North Vietnam in the pre-dawn hours of January 31, 1968, and was a major turning point in the war. He served a 1-year tour in Vietnam returning to the states in January 1969 finishing out his service as a Drill Sargent. Stephen received the Combat Infantry Badge and NJ Distinguished Service Medal. Stephen, age 72, has lived in Weehawken for over 50 years.

AIDE to the Grand Marshals

Specialist E4 Stephen R. Weil – US Army – Vietnam War

Stephen Weil, served as a Specialist E4 during the Vietnam War. Stephen began his basic training at Ft. Dix and was stationed in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia where he received Chemical Biological and Radiological (CBR) training. At Ft. Belvoir he was the Operations Clerk handling all the operations for the Engineering Company. Stephen received the National Defense Service Medal and Expert Rifleman Award. A long-time member of the American Legion Post #18, Stephen has a long history of public service in town. He was elected 3rd Ward Commissioner from 1979 to 1982, served on the Planning Board and was the former Director of Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). He is currently the Plumbing Sub-Code Official for the Township. Steve, 77 years old, is a life-long resident and his family has lived in Weehawken for over 100 years.

Special Parade Dedication

Joseph J. Fredericks, Jr. - WWII - OSS

On November 16, 2020, Weehawken lost one of our own. Joe was born and raised in Weehawken 97 years ago. His family has been living in Weehawken since 1867. Joe was part of what is called America’s Greatest Generation. He was devoted to remembering those who fought in World War II, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

During WWII, Joe served in the Office of Strategic Services in the European Theater of Operations. The precursor to the CIA and Special Forces of today. As a member of the OSS, he participated in Special Force operations getting the necessary supplies to the resistance forces in order to combat the occupation forces. One of his main tasks was to deliver military supplies – by jumping from planes in the middle of the night – to resistance groups in Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, France, and Norway. He was assigned to the British Special Forces through the OSS. Due to the secrecy of his missions (they never happened on paper) no purple heart was ever received when Joe was wounded. After WWII, the OSS became the SSU (Strategic Service Unit) and was the foundation of the CIA. He received much deserved recognition when he received one of the Nation’s highest civilian awards to veterans - the OSS Congressional Gold Medal.

Most of you remember Joe as the Master of Ceremonies for the Parade for so many years. Although his physical presence will not be at this year’s parade, his genuine love of his country and his hometown will forever be etched in our minds. Memorial Day was very special to him and he saw the parade as an important reminder to younger generations of the sacrifices that were made for the United States of America.

We dedicate this year’s Memorial Day Parade to Joe as we celebrate his life, his memory, and the wonderful example of service that he passed on to us all.